By Mokobia Rita.
ASABA/Nigeria: Officials of the Delta State Ministry of Economic Planning are undergoing a two-day training designed to strengthen their capacity in financial analysis, forecasting and project appraisal as part of efforts to improve evidence-based planning in the state.
The programme, organised by the ministry in collaboration with Universal Investment and Development Company Limited (UIDC), began on Thursday at the Conference Hall of the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba.
Speaking at the opening, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UIDC, Mr. Godwin Mukoro, FCA, represented by Dr. Timothy Igbinosa, said the training was intended to deepen the analytical capabilities required by public officials to make sound financial and policy decisions.
Igbinosa said participants would be exposed to practical approaches to financial analysis and modelling, including forecasting, project appraisal, risk assessment and the use of evidence in planning.
He explained that effective governance increasingly depends on the ability of public institutions to analyse financial and economic information before committing resources to programmes and projects.
According to him, strengthening such skills among government officials would contribute to better resource allocation, more informed decision-making and improved implementation of development initiatives.
He urged the participants to actively participate in the sessions and translate the knowledge acquired into their day-to-day responsibilities, particularly in planning, budgeting and project management.
Igbinosa also reaffirmed UIDC’s willingness to support the state government through professional advisory services and capacity-building initiatives, while commending the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for its emphasis on institutional development and workforce capacity.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Augustine Itawansa, urged the participants to take the training seriously and maximise the opportunity to acquire skills that would remain useful throughout their careers.
Itawansa said stronger technical capacity within the civil service would help officials perform their responsibilities more effectively and contribute to improved public-sector outcomes.
Also speaking, the Head of Consultancy Department at UIDC, Mr. Lewis M. Gbe, CNA, thanked the ministry for partnering with the organisation and expressed optimism that the collaboration would lead to further capacity-building programmes.
The workshop is scheduled to run from September 3 to 4, 2026, with the organisers expecting it to enhance the capacity of economic planning officers and strengthen the use of financial evidence in policy development, project assessment and implementation across the state.
